‘Dukun’ released at last! 10-year horror ends for director Dain Said

After more than a decade on the shelf, Malaysian horror film Dukun – from award-winning director Dain Said – will finally see release on Apr 5, 2018. Production company Astro Shaw announced the movie’s official screening date via Instagram on Apr 1.

Dukun is the story of an investigation into the death of a politician at the hands of a bomoh (or shaman), played by actress Datin Paduka Umie Aida.

The movie’s screenplay by Huzir Sulaiman is believed to be loosely based on the sensational real-life case of Mona Fandey, a singer-turned-witch doctor convicted for the 1993 murder of politico Mazlan Idris. She was executed on Nov 2, 2001 at age 45.

Astro Shaw completed the film in 2007 but never released it. No official statement was ever given for the delay. Dukun also stars Faizal Hussein, Bront Palarae, Namron and Elyana.

Announcement of the film’s release also answered questions about the “girl in red kebaya” video clip, which has been gone viral on local social media since last week. One user posted footage of a ghostly figure in a red dress walking alone on a road at night.

The clip may have been a promotional tool by Astro Shaw to hype the release of Dukun. Prior to yesterday’s announcement, a teaser image with the tagline “Perempuan Kebaya Merah” and “Akhirnya Kita Bertemu” (Finally, we meet) was also shared on its Instagram page.

The woman in the red kebaya is, of course, actress Umie Aida in her character’s clothes as shown on the movie’s poster.